Notable comedian Paul Reiser once called the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach the old Yankee Stadium of comedy, referring to it as a “shrine to comedy.” Indeed, this venue is quite legendary in comedy circles, and luckily for South Bay residents it has been right under your noses since 1978.

If you’re looking for a new form of entertainment and haven’t been to a comedy club since Eddie Murphy was staring on Saturday Night Live, The Comedy and Magic Club is the place to go. The 250-seat venue has been in business for 35 years for a reason and gets high marks among Yelpers for the food and comfortable ambience.

The club is most notable as the place where Jay Leno performs nearly every Sunday night at 7p.m. But the lineup of regular comedians is like a who’s-who list, including Reiser, David Spade, Rob Schenider, Dom Irrera and David Attell among others, and many will take the stage with little or no advanced notice.

On Friday and Saturday nights, the club hosts a lineup of 10 comedians per night. When headliners are in town, tickets range from $30-35 with a two-item (any combination of food or drink) per person minimum, which makes it convenient to order from a menu that gets strong reviews. The seating is first come first serve, so make sure to arrive early.

Check out the club’s Facebook page for updates and photos of past performers.

The Madrona Marsh Preserve has aptly been described as “an island of wilderness in the city.” As one of the last remaining vernal marshes in Southern California, its unique environment is situated right in the middle of an expansive urban area. It is an experience worth checking out if you enjoy the outdoors. The land where the marsh sits was originally designated for oil production back in the early 1920's, but was never developed like the surrounding areas. Now, the land provides a valuable natural habitat for birds, reptiles, insects, small mammals, and native plants. Along with the opportunity to set off and explore the marsh on your own, the Madrona Marsh Preserve has a full calendar of great activities like bird watching, nature walks, natural history classes and workshops, habitat restoration, science programs, and art exhibits. The Nature Center, which opened in 2001, is described as a kid’s paradise by several Yelp reviewers. There are many exhibits and programs for the kids to enjoy and learn more about the plants, birds and animals that call the marsh home, such as getting to touch real furs or interact with live turtles and other critters.“My first time this past Saturday and I loved it!” said one Yelp review. “I couldn't have imagined a place like this just down the street from where I live.”For photos, videos and updates, check out the Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center Facebook page.The City of Torrance operates the Madrona Marsh Preserve & Nature Center in cooperation with the Friends of Madrona Marsh. A non-profit organization founded in 1972, the Friends of Madrona Marsh is dedicated to preserving the marsh and leads all of the promotional and educational programs, membership activities and volunteer projects.Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center3201 Plaza del Amo Torrance, CA 90503Phone: 310.782.3989Website:www.friendsofmadronamarsh.comHours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday

Buying your first home can be an intimidating decision. Not only will it likely be the biggest purchase of your life, but it is oftentimes both a lengthy and complex process.It goes without saying that there are many factors to consider as a first-time home buyer. There’s a lot to learn, and a lot to know, about a process that commonly takes months to complete from start to finish. Even when things go smoothly, a first-time home buyer will require patience, organization and knowledge to navigate through the process.Here are 10 things to consider when buying your first home:The difference between wants and needs. When you have a clear understanding of what you want versus what you really need in a home, you will be in a position to make decisive, effective decisions that might help you land what you really want.Getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Not only will you avoid homes you can’t afford, but pre-approval from a lender will give you the leverage to make a serious offer when you find the right home.The real cost of home ownership. Sure, there is a mortgage payment, but what are the costs of living where you are buying? When you factor in all the expenses – utilities, property taxes, repairs – can you afford to own a home?Where location ranks on your list. Know going into the process how important location is to you. It’s about your lifestyle. A bargain isn’t really a bargain in a neighborhood you don’t really want to live in long-term. Are you willing to accept a smaller or older home in a great area where value will rise?Working with a professional. Buyers now have access to do a considerable amount of research online, but a qualified buyer’s agent should be an expert on the neighborhood, recent sales, trends, and negotiating the terms of an offer.The surrounding area. Sure, one block might be picturesque, but the entirety of the surrounding area will determine the value of a home. Explore the surrounding areas for schools, hospitals, fire stations, airports and train tracks that might alter your opinion. Also drive around at different times of the day to see if the vibe of the neighborhood changes a few blocks away.Pay attention to taxes. Review the property taxes several months back and talk to your realtor about taxes. Know that a re-appraised home can lead to higher tax rates. Talking to neighbors. The people who know most about what it’s like to live in a neighborhood, how well the sellers took care of a home, and underlying issues that might not be obvious, are the neighbors.Do as much homework as you can on the property. Along with a comparative marketing analysis to spot area trends, get detailed records of home improvements. Ensure the title is “free and clear” so there are no problems with assuming ownership, and purchase homeowner’s insurance. Get everything in writing.Getting a home inspection. No home is perfect, and a reputable home inspector will find out as much as possible about what is wrong with a house. Determine the real issues and what should be accounted for in your offer, as well as what might need future attention.

The final walk-through is the last step to take just before the home-buying process is complete, and it is a crucial step.The final walk-through is not a home inspection. But it is the opportunity to ensure the condition of the house hasn’t changed since your last visit, and the chance to ensure you’re getting the same house and amenities you agreed to purchase. It’s also the time to confirm that any previously agreed-upon repairs have been made and the terms of your contract are all met.It’s tempting to cruise through a final walk-through, or even skip it altogether, especially when you’re pressed for time. But that’s never a good idea. A buyer’s walk-through not only gives you confidence in your purchase, but it can pinpoint any lingering problems that need to be settled before closing. Remember, once you close on the home, the previous owners are not obligated to fix any new damages.Here are four steps to be aware of for a final walk-through:The right timing.Timing is important when it comes to the final walk-through. It’s often suggested to schedule the walk-through 24 hours in advance of closing, but no more than 48 hours before to ensure enough time to address any potential problems that could arise. Put aside an hour to conduct the walk-through, enough time for you to be extremely thorough.Double check conditions and repairs.The final walk-through is your chance to verify all promised and negotiated repairs with the seller were met. Include your inspector or general contractor if you have any concerns about the condition of the property. It is sometimes recommended to request receipts from the sellers for any items that have been repaired, along with the contact information for contractors, to prove the work was done.What to look for.Take your contract with you to refer to during the final walk-through. Have a list of items that are staying with the house, and make sure that all items that should have been removed have been done so satisfactorily. Make sure there is no new damage – especially those that could have occurred when the seller was moving out – and check the yard, garage, attic and basement thoroughly for unwanted items.Make sure everything works.It’s good to have a checklist as you go through the house room-by-room. Check that all light fixtures, faucets, and appliances are functional. Make sure all doors and windows open, close, and lock properly and no screens or storm windows are missing. Check to see that all electrical outlets are undamaged, and that circuit breakers are properly labeled. Turn the heat and/or air conditioning on and off and flush all toilets. Don’t ignore the outside of the house, walking the perimeter to look for leaks, checking lights and the garage door. Pay special attention to issues that could have previously been hidden, inside and out.Taking action.If you do identify problems, you have options, including walking away from the deal. But be cautious of walking away due to problems that are not significant. You can choose to postpone the closing, and you do have legal recourse for issues that were negotiated to be fixed. Make any defects or new issues known to your Realtor.

Each and every year, new and intriguing green building materials that promise energy efficiency and performance hit the market surrounded by quite a bit of buzz.Technology drives much of the innovation when it comes to green building materials, and many of the latest products on the market increase the use of reusable, recyclable materials. Not only are these products green, they help create sustainable, greener buildings as well.While there are hundreds of such green products that are new on the market, here are a few that grab attention.Cross-laminated timber. CrossLam is one type of cross-laminated timber (CLT) structural panels made by gluing layers of softwood at right angles next to each other, creating panels that are light, stable in all directions, and can be used on flooring, walls, and roofing. CLT is made from less desirable wood, even wood taken from forests that were killed by mountain pine beetles. It was named by BuildingGreen.com as a top upcoming product.Expanded-cork boardstock insulation. Cork-growers continue to expand the uses for their sustainable product, the result of a periodic harvesting process that doesn’t harm the trees. The latest is an insulation where cork pellets are steam-expanded and naturally bind to one another, creating excellent insulation characteristics without ozone-damaging flame retardants, according to Readinform.comViridian Reclaimed Wood. This company reclaims a variety of hard and soft wood from pallets, crates, and packing material to make flooring, tabletops, paneling, veneers, and more. The wood is heat-treated and kiln-dried without chemicals so that the product is clean.Earth Measure stone. This stone product, which is made from the waste of stone manufacturing, is cut into specific patterns to mimic natural stone. It can be used from everything from pavers to walls to flooring, both inside and outside, as well as in horizontal and vertical applications, per BuildingGreen.com.Low-E Windows. A clear coating of metallic oxide applied to the exposed surface of glass can reduce heat flow through the glass by 50 percent and reduce heating costs by 10 to 20 percent. Not only does the clear glazing not effect visibility, the result of one product by Cardinal Glass is low-e performance previously achievable only with a triple-glazed window.Mineral Wool Board Insulation. Roxul manufactures wool board insulation, used in both commercial and residential applications, made from a minimum of 75 percent pre-consumer recycled content, primarily of iron ore slag. It’s fire resistant without using flame retardant, is rigid enough to be used as exterior insulation, and is an alternative to foam-plastic insulation according to BuildingGreen.com.